by Adam Himmelsbach, USA TODAY Sports

by Adam Himmelsbach, USA TODAY Sports

When reports emerged late Friday night that Louisville coach Charlie Strong would meet with his assistants on Saturday morning after being offered the head coaching job at the University of Texas, it was widely assumed the gathering would be a goodbye.

But now, it seems, there's a possibility Strong's departure is not as imminent as it once appeared. Strong told his coaches Saturday that he had yet to decide whether to to accept the Texas job. Louisville spokesman Rocco Gasparro said no timetable has been given.

Later on Saturday, Sports Illustrated reported that one of the holdups in the deal with Texas is a tax issue regarding Strong's $4.375 million contract buyout at Louisville. But Strong has wavered before, turning down the Tennessee head coaching job last winter after it initially seemed he was prepared to depart.

Gasparro said that Cardinals athletic director Tom Jurich was attempting to return to Louisville from his vacation in Colorado on Saturday morning, but his travel plans were being slowed by inclement weather.

"Tom and Charlie have a great relationship," Gasparro said, "so it's very important for them to meet face to face."

Gasparro said Strong was still scheduled to depart for Bristol, Conn., on Sunday to prepare for his role in ESPN's BCS title game coverage on Monday night. But if the circumstances remain as unsettled as they are now, it would not be surprising if those plans changed.

Despite the cold, blustery weather in Louisville, about 10 Cardinals fans gathered outside the stadium early Saturday in support of Strong; one was waving a Louisville flag. When word began to circulate on Twitter that Strong had yet to make a decision, the fans left the stadium, saying they would be back.

Now, everyone will wait to see if Strong will be back, too.

Multiple media reports late Friday night said Strong would accept an offer to be the next head coach at Texas. The Austin American Statesman, however, said that no deal has been made, and Vanderbilt coach James Franklin is still in the running for the position.

The Associated Press reported Strong would be the choice, citing a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the process was being kept confidential and had not been completed. The pending hire was first reported by 247 Sports.

A Texas official told the American-Statesman that Strong has not accepted the job but is expected to do so.

Sports Illustrated cited a high-ranking Texas official as saying Strong had agreed in principle to a five-year contract that will pay $5 million per year.

Texas athletic director Steve Patterson reportedly interviewed Strong for four hours at an undisclosed location on New Year's Eve, but Louisville has remained quiet throughout the proceedings.

Strong's contract with Louisville consists of a base pay of $3.7 million, ranking him among the top 10 highest-paid coaches in college football. His contract also includes a buyout of $4.375 million if he leaves between summer 2013 and summer 2014.

Patterson also interviewed Franklin, who has led Vanderbilt to three consecutive bowls for the first time in school history.

Strong is 37-15 as the head coach at Louisville, including three bowl wins. The 2013 Cards won 12 games for only the second time in program history, capping the season with a 36-9 Russell Athletic Bowl victory over Miami.

Strong coached the 2012 Cards to a Sugar Bowl win over Florida, where he was the defensive coordinator before taking the Louisville job in 2010.

The potential move would come six months before Louisville switches to the Atlantic Coast Conference, a major move in college sports status.

Louisville lost star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and safety Calvin Pryor to the NFL Draft as early entrees. Other key juniors - defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin, running back Dominique Brown and receiver DeVante Parker - said they'd return for their senior seasons.